European Union planning litter-prevention week

BRUSSELS — The inaugural Clean Europe Week will be held a year from now following an official launch by European Union Environment Commissioner Janez Potocnik.

The annual event, which kicks off in May 2014, is backed by the green packaging association Pack2Go Europe, aims to promote best practice in litter prevention.

It will be coordinated by the newly launched Clean Europe Network with participating groups including litter prevention organizations and local authority and city management groups from Belgium, Denmark, the UK, Estonia, Germany, France, Ireland the Netherlands and Sweden.

"Waste in the wrong place is impacting quality of life in both urban and rural areas around Europe," said Tony Waters, president of Pack2Go Europe.

"Dirty streets even lead to heightened feelings of insecurity among citizens. Pack2Go Europe is engaged with the Clean Europe Network to help identify ways to minimize this issue".

Clean Europe Week will initially focus on getting the message out to young people.